When life starts to feel boring, a touch of levity can transform the mundane. In this month's Filter finds, our contributors share practical objects that spark not only joy but whimsy – a sense of playfulness in daily routines. From a toilet brush shaped like Excalibur to a concrete banana, these items bring fun to work, cleaning, and even tea time.
Kitchen and Home Whimsy
Jenny McGrath swears by HAY tin containers, which she uses to store coffee filters, protein powder, and vitamins. “The four bright boxes lined up together add some much-needed vibrancy” to her muted kitchen. Meanwhile, Megan Reynolds recommends the Angry Mama microwave steam cleaner, a stout figure with a perpetual scowl that cleans the microwave with a water-and-vinegar mixture. “The grease and caked-on food steams off and can be easily wiped away,” she notes.
For the bathroom, the Heller Excalibur toilet brush, designed by Philippe Starck, turns a gross task into a bit of fun. Removing the brush from its holder is “a bit like pulling a sword out of a stone,” says Reynolds. In the kitchen, Bernadette Machard de Gramont loves The Nessie Family by Ototo – a colander, soup ladle, and tea infuser shaped like the Loch Ness Monster, with feet that let them stand in pots or mugs.
Desk and Decor Delights
For desk-bound whimsy, a brass toad named Humphrey keeps PT company. “He looks like he's judging me when I procrastinate, so he's a good co-worker,” she says. Tim Stevens enjoys a Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll dog toy, a simple red ball with a rope that brings his dog endless joy. For book lovers, Nature's Decorations blue agate bookends are sturdy enough to hold books and come in various colors.
Julia Skinner praises a ceramic mushroom mug with a lid that keeps drinks warm and stays cool to the touch. Marissa Miller gifted her dad a toilet-paper-roll-shaped tape dispenser, which sits proudly on his desk. “His clients can catch a glimpse of his personality,” she says. For fans of pop culture, Brandon Bird's signed print “Captain's Mess” – featuring Captain Picard with a plate of pasta – hangs in Tim's kitchen and “makes me smile whenever I see it.”
Clothing, Gadgets, and More
Tobey Grumet Segal loves No 6 contour clogs with shearling, handcrafted in the US from water-repellent leather, perfect for autumn in New York City. Alan Truly enjoys the Grover Humanatones nose flute, which requires only a nose and a willingness to look ridiculous. He also recommends Tavery elf ears, which slip over the ears for an effortless transformation. “It's a brief bit of frivolity but somehow still meaningful,” he says.
For lighting, Govee's COB Strip Light 2 Pro creates a smooth ribbon of color, adaptable for yoga, meals, or movie nights. Les Shu picked up a Divoom Pixoo digital picture frame, which displays pixel art or serves as a status board. Juno DeMelo treasures a hand-cast concrete banana from Pretti Cool, which she uses as a paperweight. “I have come to love it,” she admits.
